Airmen end year delivering holiday cheer

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Eric Peterson
  • 120th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office
GREAT FALLS, Mont. --  Some residents of Great Falls will have a brighter holiday season this year thanks to members of the 120th Airlift Wing of the Montana Air National Guard.

Airmen assigned to the 120th Logistics Readiness Squadron and 120th Communications Flight selected two different local elderly care organizations to assist their clients in community service projects December 18.

25 members of the 120th Logistics Readiness Squadron visited the Park Place Transitional Care and Rehabilitation Center in Great Falls to deliver gifts to patients living in the nursing home.

This was the eighth year in a row that members of the squadron visited the nursing home during the holiday season to offer gifts and spend time visiting with the patients.

120th LRS Tech. Sgt. Dale Vig often volunteers to help others in the community, but this was his first trip with members of his squadron to spread cheer to nursing home residents during the holiday season.

"It's just a way to give back to others," Vig said. "It's not about the notoriety-it's just about making sure these people are not forgotten.

Retired Master Sgt. Marty Graham joined his former 120th LRS coworkers to help cheer up the residents of the nursing home. He's participated in all eight years of the squadron's holiday event.

Graham said the resident he spent time with enjoyed the holiday gifts he presented.

"She likes to do puzzles and the gift was a puzzle," Graham said. "She really thought it would be good for her and it would last her several weeks because it was a thousand-piece puzzle. And she liked the blouse she got too."

15 Members of the 120th CF decided upon helping the local Meals on Wheels program deliver food to elderly Great Falls residents.

120th CF member Tech. Sgt. Brandon Musgrove has been volunteering with the Meals on Wheels program since he served on active duty with the United States Air Force in England. He thought the local program would be a good community service effort for the members of his flight.  

"It's a good way to get out and visit the community and help people out," Musgrove said. "Show them that the guard is here and that we care for the community."

The Airmen drove personal cars and teamed up to deliver nearly 40 meals to the Meals on Wheels recipients living on the east side of Great Falls.

120th CF Capt. Stacey Vance helped deliver meals during the community service project. 

"As members of the Montana Air National Guard, not only do we have our federal mission and state mission, but we're also members of the community," Vance said. "We feel it's important to be involved and give back."